This course is designed as a progression route for Foundation degree graduates who wish to progress to a BSc (Hons) qualification. It is a one year full-time course with content driven by the need for graduate-level skills in the wildlife conservation sector.
Why choose this course?
- You will be taught at Brackenhurst Campus, which is the ideal rural environment for studying wildlife conservation. With easy access to Nottingham city centre you get the best of both worlds.
- You'll have the option to embark on a work placement to gain valuable sector experience.
- You'll learn from our expert staff who have had pieces of work featured on ITV's Nature Nuts and in The Conversation.
- You'll be in great company – David Attenborough was awarded an honorary degree from NTU in 2010.
Student profiles
What you'll study
This course reflects the diverse nature of the wildlife conservation sector and will provide you with knowledge and understanding across various disciplines. Study areas include:
- ecological survey and assessment
- nature reserve and species management
- visitor management and education.
You will learn through practical experiences, allowing you to gain the skills needed to work in the diverse field of wildlife conservation in the UK and abroad.
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Year One
Wildlife Research Project
Work on an original project of your choice in conjunction with relevant industry contacts. Focus on your own area of interest within wildlife conservation. With the aid of a nominated supervisor, the project gives you engagement with current sector issues and enterprises.
Conservation Project Management
Develop skills in project management and critically evaluate the methods by which projects can be managed. You will work as part of a project team on a live integrated management project for the conservation industry.
Wildlife Conflicts and Resolution
Discuss and critically analyse topical issues relating to wildlife conservation. You will develop an understanding of the importance of ethical theories and scientific method in formulating your views.
You'll also chose one of the following optional pathways:
Wildlife Pathway
- Introduction to Ecological Consultancy
- Wildlife Management
Environment Pathway
- Global Agriculture and Food Security
- Environmental Politics, Issues and Ethics
Course specification
View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change
Staff profiles
Careers and employability
Your future career
This course will enable you to embark upon a professionally recognised occupation in the area of wildlife conservation.
Our graduates have gone on to work in roles such as:
- conservationist
- ecologist
- ecological consultant
- environmental officer
- field biologist
- project ecologist
- ranger
- species officer
- warden
- wildlife advisory roles in South Africa
- wildlife researcher
- zoo keeper
Our graduates work for companies such as:
- Natural England
- the National Trust
- RSPB
- local and county councils
- ecological consultancies
- various zoos and wildlife parks such as Longleat Safari Park and Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, South Africa.
Facilities
Brackenhurst Campus
You will be studying in the ideal environment for Wildlife Conservation. Brackenhurst Campus is a 200-hectare estate with:
- farmland
- woodland
- wetland
- a diverse range of habitats and wildlife species.
Student research
- Conservation students are involved in tracking, mapping and recording a wide variety of species at Brackenhurst Campus.
- These have included hedgehogs, badgers, bats, newts and farmland bird species.
- Many of the techniques learnt at Brackenhurst Campus with native species have been transferred to global research projects including those on wolves, hyenas and vultures.
Brown Hare
- Brown hare can often be seen in the fields on the estate, especially in the field margins.
- Hares have been in decline in recent years due to habitat loss and ever-changing farming methods.
- In spring time hares have been observed "boxing" on the estate. This was commonly thought to be two males fighting but recently it has been observed that most boxing takes place between a male and female.
Farmland Birds
- Farmland birds have suffered dramatic declines over the past 40 years due to loss of habitat and agricultural intensification, one example being skylarks, which were once a common sight on farms.
- Here on the estate numbers are increasing due to the provision of quality nesting sites in summer crops and the use of field margins.
- Another farmland bird that has been in decline is the yellowhammer; however, numbers here at Brackenhurst are also on the increase.
- From 2008 farmland birds have been rung on the estate and the data has been used in research. Bird ringing is the delicate process of catching a bird and attaching an identifying ring.
- In the winter of 2008-2009, The South Nottinghamshire Ringing Group, along with staff and students, rang 5% of the national population of yellowhammers here on the estate.
- Grey Partridge are another farmland bird species that has suffered dramatic declines, however through conservation methods and wildlife friendly farming, numbers at Brackenhurst are increasing.
Great crested newts
- The Brackenhurst Estate hosts one of Nottinghamshire's highest populations of Great Crested Newt.
- Estimates range between 2,000-3,000 in various ponds and hybernaculas around the main hall and gardens.
- Great crested newts will navigate from one pond to another, often using the 12 miles of hedgerows to do so as they provide a food source, shelter and protection from predators.
Pond and bird hide
- Sheepwalk’s Pond was created in the winter of 1995 by excavating an area adjacent to Halloughton Dumble that suffered seasonal water logging due to the high water table, and natural spring, which is located to the north of the pond.
- Puddle clay, as used by canal builders, was used in the construction of this wildlife haven.
- The bird hide provides students with a platform to observe wildlife on the pond.
- Notable species include kingfisher, reed warbler, little grebe, shoveler, bittern and many other species of wildfowl.
Birds of prey
- In addition to kestrel, tawny owl, barn owl and sparrowhawk we have also recorded common buzzard, red kite, hobby and little owl.
- These birds commonly prey on small mammals and birds, but will also eat carrion.
- The first evidence of kestrels attempting to predate small birds in nest boxes was recorded on the Brackenhurst Estate during a student research project
Eco-library
Our 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million pound campus library opened in 2013. The library building uses energy-efficient and low-carbon initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, intelligent lighting control, heat-reclaim ventilation during winter, renewable cladding materials, locally sourced materials and water-leak detection systems.
Our biodiversity analysis of the library site highlighted the need to check for protected species such as bats and great crested newts. We've created new ponds, fence-ringed areas and bespoke habitats as part of our mitigation strategy.
Peregrine falcons – live streaming
The Newton building at Nottingham Trent University has, for the last decade, been home to a breeding pair of peregrine falcons, who nest on an outside ledge near the top. Watch live footage or archive video of them nesting, laying eggs and rearing their chicks. One of the Brackenhurst PhD research students is currently studying the behaviour of the NTU peregrines as part of a nationwide study investigating the use of urban habitats by peregrine falcons.
Green Flag status
Brackenhurst Campus has been awarded Green Flag status, a national award recognising green spaces throughout the country. We received the award along with other notable green spaces such as Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and St James’s Park.
Conservation Society
Brackenhurst Campus has a student-led Conservation Society who organise events throughout the year. These include a variety of activities including seminars, species surveys, field day trips, social events and practical tasks such as habitat management.
There is a wealth of wildlife living on the Brackenhurst Campus including hedgehogs, bats, great crested newts and various species of birds. You'll use the campus as an outdoor classroom and gain a wealth of valuable skills.
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- To have successfully completed the FdSc Wildlife Conservation or FdSc Wildlife Conservation: Countryside Management, or an equivalent foundation degree in a wildlife or countryside conservation-related subject.
We also consider equivalent qualifications and combinations.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course, please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
The UCAS Tariff
We've created a UCAS Tariff calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
What are we looking for?
We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our courses. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please visit our international qualifications page.
Foundation courses
If you need to do a foundation course to meet our course requirements please visit Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC). If you’re already studying in the UK at a school or college and would like to know if we can accept your qualification please visit our foundation courses page.
English language entry requirements
If English is not your first language you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. We usually ask for an IELTS test and we accept some alternative English language tests.
- For a list of our language requirements please visit our English language page.
- If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements please visit our pre-sessional English course page.
Help and support
If you have any questions about your qualifications or about making an application to the University please email our International Team for advice.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
You can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year. If you are applying to more than one UK university you must apply through UCAS.
Apply as early as you can so that you have time to prepare for your studies. If you need a visa to study here you need to plan this into your application.
- For a step-by-step guide on making an application to the University please visit our how to apply page.
- For advice on applying for a visa please visit our visa information page.
- For advice on how to write a good personal statement please visit our personal statement page.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What do the course fees cover?
Mandatory costs for the course are covered in the course fee. In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
You will be charged a maximum of £60 for any compulsory residential trips in the UK which will cover travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. There will be a maximum charge of £300 for overseas residential fieldwork that is compulsory to your course. Non-residential day excursions are included in the tuition fee and other non-compulsory opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at additional cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.
While we aim to keep any extra study costs to a minimum, please see our page on additional costs and optional extras to find out about any additional expenses you may incur on your course.International fees and scholarships
For information on international and EU fees and advice on how to pay, please visit our international fees page.
We offer prestigious scholarships to new international students holding offers to study at the University. For details and an application form please visit our international scholarships information.
What do the course fees cover?
Mandatory costs for the course are covered in the course fee. In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
You will be charged a maximum of £60 for any compulsory residential trips in the UK which will cover travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. There will be a maximum charge of £300 for overseas residential fieldwork that is compulsory to your course. Non-residential day excursions are included in the tuition fee and other non-compulsory opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at additional cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.
While we aim to keep any extra study costs to a minimum, please see our page on additional costs and optional extras to find out about any additional expenses you may incur on your course.